Muktabai Samadhi Temple, Kothali

Muktabai’s historical disappearance (antardhan) at Kothali on the Tapi river supported by local legend and scientific carbon dating forms the foundation of the temple’s sanctity. According to lore, Muktabai grew deeply detached after her brothers and Changdev took samadhi, and during a river bath she vanished amidst a thunderstorm and lightning strike. A spring at the site revealed a self-manifested doll-like idol now enshrined in the temple.

The present Muktabai Samadhi Temple has seen four major renovations in 125 years, most recently relocated from the flood-prone earlier shrine to its lush current spot near Hatnur Dam’s backwaters. Visitors enter through a grand open-pillared sabhamandap and descend steps to the sanctum, which houses a serene white marble idol of Muktabai, dressed in nine-yard saree and crowned in silver, set against a golden mahirap arch. Black stone idols of Vitthal and Rukmini are placed nearby, reinforcing the link to the Pandharpur pilgrimages

The sanctum’s spire flies the Vaishnava flag. Spacious rest quarters (ovaris), a special “Hirkani” area for women with children, and simple, welcoming facilities make the temple a comfortable stop for spiritual seekers and pilgrims. Scientific study by Dr. Raghunath Shukla (1972) matched the local soil’s age to the legend, placing Muktabai’s antardhan about 700–750 years ago

Muktabai’s legacy as a poet, composer of the Tatiche Abhangas, and guru to Yogi Changdev is celebrated in regular worship. Her palanquin procession to Pandharpur ahead of Ekadashi and joint yatras unite the Warkari community